SACE Stage 2 Spanish exam-day guide
SACE Stage 2 Spanish · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring a current photo ID (e.g., passport or driver's licence). Confirm with your school/provider which forms are accepted and whether a student card alone is sufficient.
Admission slip or exam timetable confirmation
Check whether your school issues a printed admission slip or whether you only need to know your candidate number and exam room. Confirm with the provider.
Black or blue pens and spare pens
Bring at least two working pens of the permitted colour. Confirm the permitted writing instruments with the provider.
Pencils, eraser and sharpener
Useful for multiple-choice sections or rough notes if permitted. Confirm whether pencil is allowed for any section.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Stay hydrated. Confirm the provider's policy on bringing drinks into the exam room.
Approved dictionary (if permitted)
Check with the provider whether a monolingual or bilingual dictionary is allowed in the written exam and whether it must be unannotated.
No prohibited electronic devices
Leave phones, smart watches and other devices at home or in the designated area. Confirm the provider's rules on device storage and whether switching off is enough.
Know your candidate number and exam room
Write these down or memorise them. Confirm the location and start time with your school the day before.
Arrive early
Aim to arrive at least 20–30 minutes before the scheduled start. Confirm the provider's recommended arrival time and late-entry policy.
Read the instructions on the paper
Check the number of sections, time allocation and any choice of questions before you start writing.
Plan your time
Note the marks per section and allocate minutes accordingly. Leave time to check your work.
Review your response language
For writing tasks, check register, verb forms, accents and agreement. For listening/reading, ensure answers are in the required language and format.
Plan the day
Review your summary notes on key grammar (tenses, subjunctive, ser/estar), vocabulary themes and text types. Do one timed practice section under exam conditions, then mark it and note recurring errors.
Practise a full listening or reading section and a short writing task. Focus on time management and on checking accents and agreement. Review the mark allocation so you know where to spend time.
Do a light review of your error log and key phrases only. Prepare your bag with ID, pens and any permitted materials. Confirm the exam room, start time and arrival instructions with your school. Aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material; skim your summary sheet instead. Switch off and store your phone as instructed.
Read all instructions and questions before writing. Allocate time according to marks and stick to your plan. For listening, read questions ahead where permitted and note key words. For writing, plan briefly, write, then check grammar, accents and register. Leave 5–10 minutes to proofread.
Rules to check
Bring current photo identification and place it on your desk if instructed. Confirm with the provider which ID forms are accepted.
Do not bring phones, smart watches or other electronic devices into the exam room unless the provider explicitly permits them. Confirm the device policy, including whether they must be switched off or handed in.
Follow all instructions from supervisors. Raise your hand if you need to leave the room; confirm the provider's rules on toilet breaks and whether you will be escorted.
Write only in the permitted colour and in the designated spaces. Confirm whether extra paper is available and how it must be labelled.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. Confirm the provider's rules on what constitutes misconduct and the consequences.
If you use a dictionary, it must be unannotated and permitted for that section only. Confirm with the provider before the exam.
Late arrival may mean you are not admitted or that you receive no extra time. Confirm the provider's late-entry policy in advance.
Marks are awarded for communication and accuracy according to the task. Confirm the weighting of each section and the criteria with your teacher or the provider.